Acting United States Attorney Gregory G. Brooker, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Assistant Special Agent in Charge Kirk Howard and Saint Paul Police Chief Todd Axtell today announced a federal indictment charging six members of a Saint Paul criminal street gang known as the HAM Crazy for conspiring to illegally possess firearms.1

“This indictment represents the aggressive action this Office and our law enforcement partners are taking against gun violence in Saint Paul,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Gregory Brooker. “Working hand-in-hand with our partners at the ATF and Saint Paul Police Department, we are dedicating all necessary resources to investigate and prosecute the most violent offenders. This alarming uptick in gang activity and gun violence will not be tolerated in our cities and communities.”

“There are plenty of ways to settle disagreements between groups, but gun violence is not a method we will allow. The communities of Saint Paul deserve better,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Kirk Howard of the Saint Paul Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. “ATF, Saint Paul Police Department and the Department of Corrections have put forth maximum effort to reduce gun violence in Saint Paul. We’re happy to partner with the two agencies in this investigation and hope this indictment provides a word of warning to others who are inclined to be involved in this dangerous behavior.”

Saint Paul Police Chief Todd Axtell said, “Too many families are impacted by gun violence in Saint Paul. We welcome these indictments as they hold gun violence suspects responsible. We will continue to partner with our local and federal law enforcement agencies and rigorously pursue gun offenders whose crimes tear at the fabric of our community.”

According to the superseding indictment, since at least January 2014, the HAM Crazy gang has been in an ongoing gang war with several rival gangs, including the Hit Squad, that has resulted in gang members on both sides of the rivalry being shot and/or killed. HAM Crazy members and their rival gang members often use social media platforms, such as Facebook, YouTube, and Snapchat, as a way to disrespect, intimidate, and threaten rivals by brandishing firearms, displaying money, making gang signs, and publishing rap videos.

According to the superseding indictment, due to the ongoing gang war and the need for firearms to conduct gang-related activity, the defendants conspired to illegally obtain and jointly possess firearms. The defendants and other HAM Crazy members also attempted to buy, sell, trade, and obtain firearms using social media. All six defendants have prior convictions that prohibit them from legally possessing firearms.

According to the superseding indictment, the defendants and other HAM Crazy members conspired to illegally possess at least nine firearms during the timeframe of the superseding indictment.

Five of the defendants, JEFFERSON, DAVIS, ASHFORD, JACKSON, and MARTIN, have made their initial appearances in federal court and have been arraigned on the charges in the superseding indictment. One defendant, MARRERO, remains at large.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Saint Paul Police Department, and the Minnesota Department of Corrections.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Benjamin Bejar and Thomas Calhoun-Lopez are prosecuting the case.